PAGOSA-BIRDING at VA Poma Ranch-Pagosa Springs, Colorado [Guest Ranch, Fishing, Lodging, Birding, Weddings, Reunions]

Pagosa-Birding.com
at V.A. Poma Ranch

The V.A. Poma Ranch provides wonderful opportunities for both amateur and serious birdwatchers as well as all outdoor lovers.
Located not far from the Continental Divide, we have access to a diversity of mixed conifer, spruce-fir, ponderosa, oak and aspen forests as well as meadows and willow-riparian zones near the Weminuche River, various ponds and our own Martin Lake.

You will be greeted upon arrival by a friendly host and plethora of different hummingbirds that make the Ranch House porch always entertaining. The Rockies and the altitude atttract interesting birds including Steller's and Gray Jays, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Western Tanagers, Magpies, Warblers, Flycatchers, Eagles to name a few. The Colorado Field Ornithologists Assn. lists 183 species in Hinsdale County.

They also describe birding areas in the county including a wonderful description of Piedra Road that leads right up to the Poma Ranch. See item #13 and also #14-nearby Williams Creek Reservoir.

The interesting Lewis Woodpecker [first identified by Meriwether Lewis] is included in this CFO writeup. This curious colored bird with a 21" wingspan sometimes acts more like a flycatcher, often chasing flying insects. Its range includes the VA Poma Ranch. Maybe you could be the first to positively identify one on the Ranch.

We are members of Audubon Colorado and the local Weminuche Audubon Society.
Last July, our first bird inventory by the Audubon Society was insightful and exciting for Colorado Bird Watchers. We hosted 24 birders with a breakfast to inaugurate our first birding trails. See photos. Now, you may enjoy three well mapped and signed scenic birding trails:
Lake Trail Map [1.2 miles]
Spring Trail Map [.6 miles]
Ponderosa Trail Map [2 miles]

Within just a few miles are trailheads into the San Juan National Forest. These marked trails can be great for birding, too. See our HIKING page for more information.

Guests can watch soaring raptors such as Bald Eagles, Osprey, and Red-tailed Hawks from their cabin porches.
Sparrows and warblers flit around in the willows, shrubs, and grasses. Magpies and large, blue Stellar Jays provide an unmistakable wake-up call.

Wild turkeys cross the meadows and Mountain Bluebirds line the fences.

Woodpeckers make their presence known as their pounding on the hollow trees echoes through the woods.
Several seed eaters enjoy our feeding station.

And there are swarms of hummingbirds during July and August.

Hummingbird Swarm

You may even get one to perch on your finger!

Broad-tailed Hummingbird On Guest's Finger

During the summer, our guests can see Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds in great numbers.

On occasion we get Black-chinned Hummingbirds and the smallest bird in North America, the Caliope Hummingbird.

We could go on and on about the many different birds here on the Ranch. Come join us and bring your binoculars, your spotting scopes, and your cameras! Remember, you must be a guest or register at the Ranch House to begin. Full size Hiking Maps are available there.

Of course, the best way to take in birding at dawn and dusk is to stay with us at one of OUR COMFORTABLE CABINS located away from the bustle of highways and cities. You'll find others with a common interest in Birding and the wonderful outdoors here at Poma in the Colorado Rockies.

Click Any Trailmap to enlarge; Double click to return!

Click any Trail-map to enlarge; Double click to return!
"THE PONDEROSA" Trailmap	"THE LAKE" Trailmap
"THE SPRING" Trailmap Click Map to enlarge; Double click to return!

V.A. Poma Ranch, P.O. Box 550, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 970-731-5746 vapomaranch@yahoo.com

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